CLEARFIELD – After a Grinch undecorated a little Christmas tree, Santa’s elves – with the greatest glee – replenished its branches with new trimmings.
According to a previous GANT News article, Lawrence Township police received a report about an alleged theft in the area of Route 322 along an abandoned railroad bridge over Clearfield Creek.
Police said unknown suspect(s) “stole the spirit of Christmas” by cutting cords and taking decorations, solar lights, bulbs, garland and a tree topper from a tree on the bridge.
Arnold Swales of Clearfield has decorated the tree to spread Christmas joy for the past three years. On Monday morning, he discovered it was damaged and its decorations were stolen overnight.
According to Swales, he’d spent more than $100 in tree decorations. He felt “saddened that someone has so little respect … especially at this time of year.”
Swales’ heart broke after having the spirit of Christmas stolen, and he wasn’t sure if he’d trim the tree again this year. But he didn’t have to once word spread in his community.
On Wednesday afternoon, “Santa’s elves,” Angie Peters and Kassi Dixon, both of Clearfield, gave the spirit of Christmas back by trimming the little tree with solar-powered lights, garland and bulbs that were wired on.
Fellow elves, Melanie MacDonald and Willie Null pitched in monetarily for solar lights so the tree will shine brightly again from the railroad bridge. Tiffany Nichols and Nicole Unch donated decorations, said Peters.
Peters hopes the Grinch who tried to steal Christmas will see the tree, and it will make their “heart a little bigger.” She added: “Maybe, it will be enough for the Grinch to go out and make someone else’s heart happy.”
Swales said it was wonderful to discover the tree trimmed in splendor again, and he wished a “big Merry Christmas” to Peters, Dixon and their fellow elves for saving his little Christmas tree tradition.
Peters has a very special Christmas wish for Swales. It’s her hope that he will let his “wonderful and generous” Christmas spirit shine through the little tree for years to come.
